Bethany’s Gait Ranch in Prescott, Arizona uses Equine assisted therapy to help and heal local Veterans. Bethany’s Gait Ranch is the recipient of the annual Charity Art Show at Arts Prescott Gallery.

Charity Art Show at Arts Prescott Gallery!

Each year for the past 24 years, Arts Prescott Cooperative Gallery truly gives back to the local community during the holidays. We give back 100%! Arts Prescott Gallery has been hosting a charity art show every year during the Holiday season. The art show opening reception coincides with our gallery’s holiday party and Prescott’s 4th Friday Art Walk. In most years, this falls the day after Thanksgiving. It seems appropriate since it is the artists’ way of showing thanks to the community that supports us through out the year. It’s a chance for the artists to mingle with our art collectors and a chance to raise some money for a local cause.

Over the years the gallery members have selected such charities as Skyview Charter School, The Hungry Kids Foundation, United Animal Friends, Victims of the Yarnell Fire, Penny’s Purses and many many more. The gallery members choose among nominated charities and select a recipient.

YOU ARE INVITED TO THE OPENING RECEPTION AT ARTS PRESCOTT COOPERATIVE GALLERY NOVEMBER 24TH 5-8PM

134 SOUTH MONTEZUMA

PRESCOTT, AZ 86303

The charity art show runs November 24- December 31st. Please help us to support this wonderful local Charity. You can purchase a wonderful piece of artwork in your home to remind you of how you have given back to the community as well!

As of this publishing we have received Art donations from over 20 members of the local Prescott art community. If you are an artist and still would like to donate a piece of artwork for the show- please contact me or drop off your donation at the gallery. Follow Arts Prescott Gallery on Facebook and you can get sneak previews of the artwork donated for the show! Bethany’s Gait will also be accepting cash donations during the show.

Thanks in advance to all who have helped create a fantastic Charity Art Show!!

Bethany’s Gait Equine Assisted Therapy

Bethany’s Gait Ranch is a non-profit ranch in Prescott, Arizona dedicated to “rescuing horses, restoring lives.” The horses at Bethany’s Gait have been rescued from abuse or neglect or come to the ranch from folks who can no longer afford to care for them. The ranch serves veteran, reserve and active duty military and their families. The organization brings the horses and people together through their ranch program, which teaches kids how to care for the horses; through equine facilitated psychotherapy, a unique therapy approach using the horses as therapists; and through equine assisted learning, an interesting method for teaching leadership and other skills. The program is run almost entirely by volunteers who give their time graciously to help the horses and people thrive at Bethany’s Gait.

Their programs for 2017 are mostly two day retreats include equine facilitated learning sessions, as well as classroom work tailored to meet the needs of the group. Attendees are housed at a local retreat center where they can experience a variety of outdoor activities. They hold four different types of retreats – Military/First Responders; Wives of Military & First Responders; Military/First Responders Marriages; and Wounded Warriors (specifically for those who are currently members of a wounded warrior battalion in any branch of the military)

The money raised will to go sponsor the care and feeding of the therapy horses and assist with running the program.

Group therapy session

Bethany’s Gait has been assisting Veterans, First Responders and their families in the Prescott area since relocating here in 2012. Many of the recipients of the Equine therapy services suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and overall assistance on how to reintegrate back into society. Participants have the ability to be quiet and ground to the horse, This process can be comforting and help teach boundaries and connection with another. Groups learn to work with as a team again-trusting one another and the animals. They are improving cooperation and communication skills. That connection can help them to feel more stable.

Equine therapy has no judgements. The Veterans can work with the horses in a relaxed environment and work to resolve some everyday struggles. Horses are very intuitive animals and can sense fear or aggression. The horses, with the help of an Equine therapy facilitator help participants to release that fear and aggression.

Cristi Rose and her husband started Bethany’s Gait.

Cristi is certified in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and Equine Co-Facilitated Partnership Rituals-Basic (ECP-B). She holds a BA in Communications/Advertising and an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR). She is a member of EAGALA, the North American Horsemen’s Association (NAHA), the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH Intl.), the American Competitive Trail Horse Association (ACTHA), and the Granite Mountain Riders (GMR).

Cristi understands all too well the challenges of military life. Her husband is a retired Marine Corps Lt. Col, her oldest son is a 2nd Lt. in the Marine Corps and her youngest is working towards becoming a Navy Seal.

Helping Local Prescott Arizona Veterans

Bethany’s Gait Ranch is just one of many Northern Arizona Veteran assisted programs. Last year the local newspaper, The Daily Courier, published a listing of many programs that are available to assist local Veterans.

County Veteran PopulationVeterans: 26,396% of County Population: 13%Deployed to Iraq/Afghanistan since 9/11 with county as home of record: 498

If you think Prescott is immune to the affects of Veterans suffering or trouble among families of first responders, then you are greatly mistaken. Veterans account for many of our homeless population as well. Local writer, Nanci Hutson published this article about homeless Veterans in Prescott.

Prescott is home to the Northern Arizona VA Health Care System. This facility provides health care and mental health care to many of our areas Veterans as well.

Equine Assisted Therapy

There are many other equine assisted therapy programs through out the Prescott Arizona area and through out the country. Equine assisted therapy programs can help troubled teens, foster kids, mentally and physically disabled children and adults. I just watched this video this morning produced by National Geographic on the benefits of horses healing Veterans.

YOU ARE INVITED TO THE OPENING RECEPTION AT ARTS PRESCOTT COOPERATIVE GALLERY NOVEMBER 24TH 5-8PM

134 SOUTH MONTEZUMA

PRESCOTT, AZ 86303

The charity art show runs November 24- December 31st. Please help us to support this wonderful local Charity. You can purchase a wonderful piece of artwork in your home to remind you of how you have given back to the community as well!

As of this publishing we have received Art donations from over 20 members of the local Prescott art community. If you are an artist and still would like to donate a piece of artwork for the show- please contact me or drop off your donation at the gallery. Follow Arts Prescott Gallery on Facebook and you can get sneak previews of the artwork donated for the show! Bethany’s Gait will also be accepting cash donations during the show.

Here’s a sneak peak at some of the art that will be offered for sale.

Thanks in advance to all who have helped create a fantastic Charity Art Show!!